HUGE GROWTH OF INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22300, 14 January 1938, Page 8

HUGE GROWTH OF INDUSTRY

PRIVATE CARS ON ROADS IN ENGLAND PRODUCTION NOT RETARDED BY REARMAMENT Few New Zoalanders have any conception of the tremendous growth which has taken place in motoring in Great Britain, nor of the acute congestion which, some claim, is rapidly making British roads a nightmare. In the latest figures issued by the Societv of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, it is stated tbat in November, 1937, there were registered in Great Britain 1687.405 private cars. This compares: with 1,530.183 in November, 1936. Considering the small area of the British Isles, this total almost defies the imagination. . Consequent upon the tremendous demand for cars which these figures indicate, the home manufacturing industry is in a particularly healthy condition. In the year ended September. 1937 389,633 private cars and taxis were produced in the United Kingdom, an average of more than 1000 a day. In the corresponding 12 months of 1936 the total was 353,838. The production record for the year was established in March, when 44,578 cars and taxis were made, compared with 39,677 in the corresponding month of 1936. The diversion of some of the energies of the large motor manufacturing companies into the Governments "shadow scheme" for the mass production of war materials, has seemingly made little difference to the output of cars, while the "shadow scheme" itself is said to be running smoothly, and large numbers of aero engines and aeroplanes have alread? been turned out. There was a slight slackening of car output in September, as compared with the corresponding month of 193b, dut it is said that this was due more to a flight falling off in demand, rather than to any interference of car production by the production of war materials. MOTORCYCLING PIONEER CLUB FIXTURES __, { Saturday and Sunday next—Camp at Le Bons Bay. I Saturday, February s—New Zealand beach championship. An enjoyable social • evening was spent at the Sign of the Bellbird, Kennedy's Bush, on Tuesday, by a large party. A time test was held oyer the outward journey, resulting as follows: —J. Lang 1, W. Barlow 2, K. Watson 3. To-morrow and Sunday the club's Eopular annual camp will be held at e Bons Bay. A sporting trial will be staged on Saturday afternoon, during the run to the bay, the route being via Gebbie's Pass, Little River, and Harman's track. The trial will include a time test, secret check, and several observed sections. Competitors will assemble at the club rooms before 2 p.m. to-morrow, and will be sent away at half-minute intervals. Several sporting events have also been arranged for Sunday, including a roadhill climb, and a social evening will be held in Le Bons Bay on Saturday night Entries close this evening at 9 o'clock. Arrangements may be made with the secretary for the transport of camping equipment, etc. With the New Zealand beach championship meeting only three weeks

away, high expectations are held for a most successful fixture. Good entries have already been received. CANTERBURY CLUB At the committee meeting of the Canterbury Auto-cycle Club, held this week, the programme for the coming season was drawn up as follows: January 30, social run; February 6, inter-club rally (Ashburton); February 12, pillion trial; February 19, South Island beach championships; March 5, < treasure hunt; March 13, experts and invitation reliability trial: March 19, flying half-mile attempts; March 26-i.7, sporting trial and camp (Lewis pass); April 18, New Zealand Grand Prix; April 30. novelty event; May 7, hill climb; June 9, sporting trial. A good deal of time is being given to the social side of the programme as it is anticipated that several of the members will be getting their machines in trim for the New Zealand Grand Prix.